Aviation Ordnancemen (AOs) are aircraft armament (weapons) specialists. They are in charge of storing, servicing, inspecting, and handling all types of weapons and ammunition carried on Naval and Marine aircraft.

When training is completed, aviation ordnancemen may be assigned to Navy ships carrying aircraft, air stations, squadrons deployed to aircraft carriers or other aviation facilities in the U.S. or overseas.

At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis, Mar. 5, 2002  An Aviation Ordnanceman supervises the "bomb farm" on the flight deck of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). From the "bomb farm," ordnance is moved out onto the flight deck and onto the aircraft. Since World War II, the U.S. Navy's carriers have been the national force of choice. In over 80% of the times when the World was faced with international violence, the U.S. has responded with one or more carrier task forces. John C. Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Alta I. Cutler.

At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis, Mar. 5, 2002  An Aviation Ordnanceman aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) installs an FMU-139BB "electric tail fuse" on a 500-pound BLU-111 penetrating bomb while working in one of the carrier's weapon magazines. Since World War II, the U.S. Navy's carriers have been the national force of choice. In over 80% of the times when the World was faced with international violence, the U.S. has responded with one or more carrier task forces. John C. Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class James A. Farrally II

Steam from the catapult surrounds an aviation ordnanceman as he gives a thumbs up after checking a Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) attached to an F/A-18C Hornet before launching from the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) on Aug. 22, 1999. The Hornet will be releasing the JDAM at the Okinawa, Japan Range Area in the first fleet squadron drop of the newly developed weapon. JDAM uses a global positioning system aided inertial navigation system to guide its 2,000 or 1,000 pound warhead to the target with a high degree of accuracy.

The Legend of Saint Barbara

"The Patron Saint of Cannoneers and Ordnancemen"

Saint Barbara was born in the year 218 A.D., in Nicomedia, a city of northern Asia Minor. Her father, Dioscorus, was a tyrannical Roman. During his absence from home, the girl embraced the teaching of Origen, the great Christian doctor. Dioscorus on his return ordered a new house built for Barbara, who was very beautiful, where she might entertain her suitors.

To symbolize her faith, the maiden induced the builder to put three windows in her bedroom to typify the Trinity, instead of the two windows her father had ordered.

When Dioscorus discovered the third, most significant window and questioned her, Barbara admitted she had become a Christian. Not only did she insist upon clinging to the new religion, but she rejected the suitor whom her father had selected as her husband. She was tried on her father's indictment, found guilty and sentenced to death. Dioscorus called the prefect, "Give me the sword; she shall die at my own hands."

And so did Barbara die at the hands of her own father. Even as the sword fell, lightening fell upon this cruel father and consumed him as he stood.

Because lightening appeared to revenge the death of Barbara, she became the protectress against lightening and thunder. Ordnancemen, regardless of the flags under which they served through the centuries, have claimed Barbara as their patron saint.

The great intangible of America's wars beyond logistics, beyond strategy, beyond wonder weapons and Generals, is the spiritual force of its fighting men and women - and that is the force that the USO so serves.

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On behalf of TF Rakkasan and myself let me thank you for your letter, your kind thoughts and most important you support. Your desire to send care packages to the soldiers of TF Rakkasan is wonderful in itself. We are lucky here because we have had the support of you great Americans every since we got here. As for the packages we will be deploying home soon after 7 months and I am afraid your packages would get lost in the system somewhere, but please know your letter and thoughts are more important to us than a package and for that we can't thank you enough! Sincerely, R. Herman TASK FORCE RAKKASAN

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The receptionist at SAMWolfs office has a Marine friend of hers that could use some morale building.

He's at Camp LeJeune right now waiting for a training deployment to a ship. He's 29 has 2 daughters under age 3 and is missing his family.

SAMWolf told her he would pass the Marines name and address onto the Canteen.

The USS George Washington carrier battle group left NAS Norfolk today for their 6 month .The USS George Washington has about 7,500 sailors and Marines with the carrier and its battle group left to head overseas and likely into combat. The Navy will not disclose the ships's destination. Prayers for ALL our Troops

At sea aboard USS George Washington, Jun. 30, 2002  Aviation Ordnancemen aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) unload bullets from an F-14 Tomcat assigned to the "Jolly Rogers" of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103). Carriers, such as George Washington and her sister ships, allow the United States to bring air power where it's needed, when it's needed and for as long as it's needed without requiring any basing permission from another country. George Washington is based in Norfolk, Va., and is on a scheduled six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographers Mate Airman Jessica Davis. [020630-N-3986D-006] Jun. 30, 2002

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